May 23, 2004
The Count of Monte Cristo (2002)
The IMDB lists over a dozen adaptations of this Dumas classic. Not having seen any of the others in recent memory, I can't be sure, but I don't really think this one has much to commend it over past versions. (It would be, perhaps, an amusing exercise to view as many versions as might be available in search of a favorite.) The principal cast members (James Caviezel as the titular Count, Guy Pearce as the friend who betrays him into prison, Richard Harris as the fellow prisoner who teaches him the skills he needs for his revenge, and Luis Guzmán as the Count's pirate turned valet) all give energetic and earnest performances, but they're not enough to elevate the film. It's been a month or so since I watched it, but I recall the script as being lackluster. The sets, costuming, and makeup look like sets, costuming, and makeup despite (or perhaps because of) the lavish sums of money obviously thrown at them. Overall there's just no magic here.